REVEALED: British alcoholic stereotype is WRONG

NEW research has dispelled the pub-binging stereotype associated with British culture as almost half of the population reveal they are light to moderate drinkers who prefer a quieter night at home with a partner or family.

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The results also challenged the assumption that young adults are the biggest drinkers.

Dr John Holmes, who led the study, said: “Far from the stereotypes of binge Britain or a nation of pub-drinkers, we find that British drinking culture mixes relaxed routine home drinking with elements of excess."

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Study found that Britons preferred to stay home and have a quieter night

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Roughly 20 percent said they preferred sharing a drink with their partner

He added: ”Young people do binge drink on big nights out, but we also see heavy drinking among middle-aged couples relaxing at home and among all ages at domestic get-togethers.”

Pre-drinking, commonly associated with younger adults trying to save money before going out, was found to be just as popular with older adults.

Published in the journal, Addiction, the study was funded by Alcohol Research UK.

Dr James Nicholls, director of research and policy development at Alcohol Research UK, said: "The idea that there is a single British drinking culture is wrong. Drinking behaviours have changed enormously over time, and there are wide variations within society.

“Rather than assuming society is neatly divided between 'binge,' 'heavy' or 'moderate' drinkers we should think about the occasions on which people drink more or less heavily - and the fact we may be moderate in some contexts, and less so in others.”

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Britons are more likely to be heavy drinkers at dinner parties or when watching sport at home

Leicester fans receive free beer and doughnuts

Sun, April 3, 2016

Leicester City fans are treated to free beer and doughnuts to mark the club chairman's birthday ahead of their Premier League game against Southampton

Leicester City fans are treated to free beer and doughnuts to mark the club chairman's birthday ahead of their Premier League game against Southampton

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), each year, more than 3.3 million deaths worldwide occur as a result of harmful alcohol use, and it is a causal factor in more than 200 diseases and injuries.

Despite the British pub-drinking stereotype, social gatherings at home with friends or family were more likely to lead to drinking in excess. More than half of dinner parties or home gatherings for watching sport led to heavy alcohol consumption.

While consuming alcohol away from home was found to be less common. Going out for a few drinks with friends attributed for 11 percent of occasions and going out for a meal as a couple or with family was even less.

Dr Holmes said: ”If we want to address problems associated with drinking, we need to recognise the diversity of how we drink and understand the crucial role that cultures and contexts play in that.”